InstruTECH Corporation is proud to introduce the ITC-1600, expandable 16-bit data acquisition system. The ITC-1600 is not only a product of our historical commitment to designing high resolution, low-noise scientific data acquisition systems, but also a technological leap forward. The ITC-1600 utilizes the newest fiber optic and digital signal processing technologies, in addition to many of the exceptional features of its predecessors the ITC-16 and ITC-18. The ITC-1600 provides expandability and versatility that will satisfy both current and future needs.

The ITC-1600 system comprises of a PCI-1600 or a PCI-1600e computer interface card, one or two I-1600 analog rack units connected by the InstruLINK fiber optic data cables. Each PCI-1600 or PCI-1600e Bus mastering host interface card supports one or two I-1600 rack units. If two rack units are used, then all input and output channels are doubled and fully synchronized. For systems requiring even more channels, multiple PCI-1600 / PCI-1600e and I-1600 units can be used. Multiple PCI-1600 / PCI-1600e cards installed in the same or in separate computers will be fully synchronized.

This split configuration offers major advantages over traditional data acquisition designs. One advantage is noise performance. Most data acquisition devices are printed circuit boards installed directly into the computer. The interior of a computer is an electrically noisy environment that will dramatically affect the noise performance of high speed D/A and A/D converters. Mounting all of the analog electronic components in an external box provides the most effective means of shielding the analog signal from this noise.

Another advantage is the capability to use the analog front end (I-1600 rack unit) with a variety of host interfaces, as they become available. Moving the I-1600 from one computer platform to another is a simple matter of using the appropriate host interface, and installing compatible software. Utilizing the same hardware when changing computer platforms provides a cost effective upgrade path to newer computer technologies without sacrificing your initial investment.

The analog electronics of the I-1600 rack unit are optically isolated from the digital circuitry of the computer via the InstruLINK fiber optic circuitry. This circuitry provides superb optical isolation, virtually eliminating ground loops, while increasing the distance between the computer and the recording setup to at least five meters. The inter-connecting fiber optic cables are small, flexible, and, unlike conventional electrical cables do not emit electromagnetic radiation.

Optical isolation provides complete electrical isolation between the computer and the measuring equipment. Computers contain digital electronics that switch at high speed, producing large electrical transients. The computer ground functions as the return path for these transients, resulting in substantial high frequency ground noise. Each I-1600 (rack unit) has a separate analog ground that is isolated from the computer ground.

optical Isolation is essential if low-noise analog outputs are desired.

Each I-1600 rack unit provides eight differential analog input channels that are separated into two banks of four. Each bank uses one 16-bit 200kHz A/D converter multiplexed into four inputs. Both A/D converters sample simultaneously and synchronously at the maximum conversion rate resulting in a total throughput of 400kHz. This unique arrangement allows pairs of channels to be digitized without phase-shift. If the bandwidth of the experiment calls for lower sampling rates, the DSP decimates and/or filters the data. An added benefit of filtering is the reduction of noise.

Each I-1600 rack unit provides four 24-bit D/A converters, stripped to 16-bit data. This results to outputs that feature high accuracy with less than 1 bit (~300 µV) of noise. This extremely low noise allows for the observation of least significant bit transitions. The D/A circuitry used in the I-1600 rack unit is temperature stabilized and "De-glitched" for ideal performance. A typical D/A circuit will have a large glitch energy around zero and major bit transitions, the I-1600's D/A converters are free from this artifact.

In addition, each I-1600 rack unit provides four 12-bit asynchronous “telegraphing” ADC channels are available for monitoring slow changing parameters.

Each I-1600 rack unit has twenty digital inputs and thirty-six digital output channels all sampling synchronously. The digital input channels feature level sensitive or latched modes. For maximum versatility the inputs can be inverted, allowing rising or falling edge triggering.

• Expandable fully synchronized data acquisition system
• All synchronous analog and digital channels are optically isolated
• Easy installation
• Compatible with Windows9x, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, MacOS classic, MacOS X (PPC and Intel), LabView for Windows, and MatLab

• Eight differential analog input channels
• Two 16-bit 200kHz A/D converters multiplexed into two banks of four input channels
• Simultaneous sampling on two channels (one from each bank) at 200kHz per channel
• Analog input range: + 10.24Volts
• Four pseudo differential analog output channels
• Four 24-bit D/A converters (16-bit data)
• Analog output range: + 10.24Volts
• Sixteen synchronous digital input channels
• Thirty-two synchronous digital output channels, fourteen with current sink
• Sixteen asynchronous digital output channels

• Each PCI-1600 host supports two fully synchronized I-1600 rack units
• Bus Mastering PCI host interface
• Universal PCI, 3.3 or 5Volt bus
• Phase Lock Loop clock IN/OUT for multi card synchronization

• Each PCI-1600e host supports two fully synchronized I-1600 rack units
• Bus Mastering PCIexpress host interface
• PCIexpress 1X lane
• Phase Lock Loop clock IN/OUT for multi card synchronization

• PCI-1600

  The PCI-1600 host interface card is a Bus mastering short form factor, 32-bit, 33 MHz Universal PCI (5 or 3.3Volt) plug in card. The PCI-1600 is compatible with Apple, PC, and other computer systems that feature PCI Bus slots.

• PCI-1600e

  The PCI-1600e host interface card is a Bus mastering short form factor, 32-bit, 1X lane PCIexpress plug in card. The PCI-1600e is compatible with Apple, PC, and other computer systems that feature PCIexpress slots.